Content with IPL, Symonds rules out international comeback

Content with the money he is making at the IPL, troubled Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds says he has no desire to return to international cricket.

Written by Press Trust of India

Read Time: 2 mins

Melbourne:

Content with the money he is making at the Indian Premier League, troubled Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds says he has no desire to return to international cricket as he doesn't want to be tied down by rules and regulations again.

"No. Not at all," he said, when asked if he wanted to give another shot at making a comeback to the national side, from which he was dumped early this year.

"It's the most content I've been since the last couple of years of my international career. There were some tricky and sticky moments in those last couple of years and now I've got no-one to directly answer to and not have to worry about rules and regulations.

"I feel really free and am just enjoying life and being with the people I want to be with and doing the things I've wanted to do for however long," he was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'.

The 34-year-old's Cricket Australia contract was torn off earlier this year and he has since restricted himself to off and on appearances for his state side Queensland.

"I've been at home and enjoying being at home, fishing, crabbing, seeing my mates, sleeping in my own bed," he said.

"I haven't been able to do that for quite a few years. So I'm just enjoying being at home for an extended period of time and doing what I want to do when I want to do it and being able to spend time with people I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with over the last however many years," he said.

The imposing all-rounder, whose international career was marred by alcohol-related indiscretions, plays for reigning champions Deccan Chargers in the IPL and says he is happy strutting his stuff in the slam-bang version.

"I don't see any point of me playing the longer version. I'm not looking to play state cricket, I'm not looking to play international cricket, I'm looking to play the shortest version so I can enjoy that and pay the bills through that," he said.

"I'll retire when I've had enough, whether that's after this next IPL or whether that's a couple of years down the track. I've no real idea yet how I'll feel towards retirement," he added.

Symonds said he would be glad to share his experience with the younger generation of cricketers.

"I'm there for these young blokes if they want to ask me questions or they want to learn about what to do and what not to do and when to have a good time and when to hang back a bit. That's up to them," he said.